Sen. Critcher
Your new governor: Democratic Sen. Jack Critcher sits in the big chair while Gov. Mike Beebe and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter whoop it up in Denver at the Democratic National Convention, says the Arkansas News Bureau.
Huckabee Veepstakes
August 26, 2008
The “Mike Huckabee for Vice President” craze rears up again today with this analysis from National Review in which Rich Lowry plays devil’s advocate and ticks off reasons that John McCain might benefit from picking Huckabee, including
McCain might have a “wealth problem,” and certainly Democrats are going to try to hit his wealth for all its worth in their play for working-class voters; Huckabee doesn’t have a problem on this front, and has lots of working-class cred.
Arkansas’ Image Problem
August 26, 2008
Arkansas has an image problem, according to Roby Brock over at the Talk Business blog: A two-year study commissioned by state tourism and economic development officials reveals that folks outside Arkansas perceive the Natural State as an unappealing destination. I blame this on you.
The View from Denver: Dem Convention Coverage
August 26, 2008
Looking for wall-to-wall coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Denver? Boy, did you ever come to the wrong place. But maybe I can point you to some better resources:
First, a reader points me to this handy little convention blog that I hadn’t seen before. Aaron Sadler of the Stephens Media Washington bureau is on the scene in Denver and he’s got a convention blog going right here with lots of focus on Arkansas people and issues. You can also read his daily reports at the Arkansas News Bureau site.
And be sure to check out Steve Harrelson’s Under the Dome blog, where he’s reporting from Denver as a delegate and as Arkansas’ designated blogger.
And over at the Think Tank blog, Blake Rutherford is rounding up each days events in a comprehensive compendium, if you’re into that kind of thing.
The First Rule of Fight Club…
August 26, 2008
What would Tyler Durden do?
…is that you probably shouldn’t pit 3- and 4-year old kids against one another in some kind of Toddler Time Death Match.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Michelle Bradford reports that two teachers at a church pre-school in Fayetteville have lost their jobs after it was learned that they were having students fight one another during “circle time” while everyone else watched:
Fayetteville police Sgt. John Warren said the investigation was launched Thursday after a parent reported teachers forcing 3- and 4-year-old students to fight during “circle time.” The kids had to fight while the rest of the class watched, and the teachers told them not to tell their parents, Warren said.
The teachers’ names have not been released, but they may face charges of endangering the welfare of minors. In addition, state health officials will be reviewing the facility’s child-care license.
Arkansas’ Rutledge On FOX News
August 26, 2008
Leslie Rutledge, an Arkansas native and former chair of the state Young Republicans organization, is featured on FOX News debating presidential politics and the Joe Biden vice-presidential pick. Let’s go to the video:
Greenberg: A Way Forward on Education Reform
August 26, 2008
Over the last week, I’ve been taking a look at some issues related to higher education in Arkansas (You can read those here and here). For my last installment, I’d like to lay out some ideas for education reform in Arkansas.
First, let’s admit that some people just don’t like school and will find it hard to spend four productive years there. If you are the kind of person who writes reports on the importance of higher education reform, or if you are the kind of person who likes to read weblogs about Arkansas politics, you may find this hard to understand—but it’s true. [Read more...]
Brummett: Hardin Must Go
August 26, 2008
Add columnist John Brummett to the growing list of those calling for University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin to resign in the wake of his secret bonus/forged memo scandal. Brummett says it’s about institutional integrity, based upon a simple test:
In the end, fabricating a document might be forgivable somewhere else, though I’m not sure where, but can never be excused at a college where tuition-paying students get flunked for that very thing.
On Sunday, columnist Kane Webb said much the same thing in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The Arkansas pundit class is moving toward full-scale revolt, and the clock is ticking on the Lu Hardin Steps Down to Spend More Time with His Family Watch….
McCain and Company Hit Missouri Sunday
August 25, 2008
GOP presidential contender John McCain will make a swing through Missouri this weekend, with a campaign rally in O’Fallon on Sunday, before heading to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Republican National Convention.
Along for the ride: The Men Who Would Be VP, former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachussetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who should really just be thrown into a pit together, each armed only with a knife, and ordered to hash this out like men, instead of sniping at each other in the press every day.
Adoption, Foster Parenting Initiative Will Be on Ballot
August 25, 2008
A proposal to restrict unmarried couples from adoption and foster parenting has been certified by the Secretary of State’s office and has the go-ahead to appear on the ballot in November, the AP reports.
